If you have a child who has been officially diagnosed with ADD or ADHD, I would suggest getting a 504 plan put into place at your child’s school.

A 504 plan is a legal document that ensures that your child will get the attention that he or she needs to succeed in a regular educational setting, be it public or private school.

Here are the steps you would take:

1. Get the diagnosis in writing
2. Contact your child’s school counselor or one of the school administrators and request a meeting
3. The meeting will be held with the parents, the student, his/her teachers and school counselor and an administrator. Sometimes there are other participants, such as your child’s ADD coach!
4. A plan is developed that addresses your child’s learning needs. This often ends up covering their emotional and social needs also. The parents and the child, as well as the teachers and some of the staff, will have responsibilities to fulfill. Remember, this is a legal document and must be adhered to.
5. A review date is set which gives everyone the chance to talk about how the plan is working out.

In my experience, the only possible negative to having a 504 Plan would be if the staff at your child’s school is particularly inept and isn’t discreet about the accommodations, causing embarrassment to your child.

Most school personnel, however, are very professional, kind, and discreet.